Fully satisfied with outcome of talks with Narendra Modi: Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli

NEW DELHI: Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli today said he was fully satisfied with the outcome of his talks with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and that all misunderstandings with India in the last few months have been removed.

A day after his talks with Modi, Oli said Nepal followed a "very democratic process" in finalising and promulgating the Constitution.

He said he sought India's assistance in ensuring economic development of his country.

"My sole purpose was to clear the misunderstandings and improve the ties between the two countries that had reached its lowest for the past few months and I believe I have succeeded in that," Oli said.

Oli, who arrived here on Friday on his first trip abroad after assuming charge of the top office, said he was "fully satisfied" with the outcome of his talks with Modi. After the talks, the two sides had signed nine agreements including one on utilisation of Indian grant of USD 250 million to Nepal for post-earthquake reconstruction and another for improving road infrastructure in that country's Terai region bordering India.

"I did not come to Delhi with a shopping list. Therefore let nobody assume that I begged or inked any agreements," he said.

Asked about India's message that all issues relating to the Constitution must be addressed through consensus and dialogue, he said his government was ready to address the grievances.

"Nepal's constitution has guaranteed 31 different fundamental rights to people. We are ready to address the grievances of those who are protesting," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa described Oli's visit as "complete success".

Yesterday, Modi had conveyed to Oli that the success of its new Constitution will depend on resolution of contentious issues through "consensus and dialogue" in a time-bound manner. The focus of the talks was on repairing the ties soured in the wake of a four-month-long agitation by the Indian-origin Madhesi community.

India was for peace, stability and overall development of Nepal, Modi had asserted after the meeting with Oli.

The Madhesi community, which shares close family and cultural ties with Indians, was up in arms against the Nepalese government claiming the new Constitution discriminated against them. Nepal later amended the new Constitution to address two key demands of agitating Madhesis regarding proportional representation and constituency delimitation. However, certain issues still remain to be sorted out.

The agitators had blocked various entry points for almost four months crippling supply of petroleum products, medicines and other commodities from India. The blockade was lifted this month.